How Ada Bible Church Sustains Growth Through Leadership
Ada Bible Church’s growth in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the cumulative impact of steady leadership and a culture people can count on. As the church approaches its 50th anniversary in 2028, Executive Pastor Joe Hays reflects on the forces that have shaped Ada’s past and the momentum carrying it into the future under Senior Pastor Aaron Buer. It all starts with gratitude.
“We’re profoundly grateful for where our church is at now,” says Hays. That gratitude is anchored in history. For more than 40 of Ada’s nearly 50 years, the church was shepherded by Senior Pastor Jeff Manion, whose leadership shaped the church’s identity through what Hays calls “slow and steady faithfulness.”
Manion’s leadership philosophy—consistent biblical teaching, dependable hospitality and a worship experience people could trust—became the bedrock of Ada’s culture.
“People knew what they were going to get every week,” says Hays. “That consistency created a climate where congregants felt confident inviting the people who mattered most to them.”
Two years ago, that legacy transitioned into new hands when Pastor Aaron Buer, a longtime staff member who had served in youth and teaching roles, stepped into the senior pastor position. The transition was remarkably smooth.
“Aaron honored the history and foundation that had been built,” Hays says. “That reinforced the trust our congregation already had.”
In a city like historically well-churched Grand Rapids, standing out isn’t always easy. Ada Bible Church, however, has carved out a distinct identity.
“One thing that sets us apart from other churches is our absolute ruthless commitment to strong biblical and applicable teaching,” Hays says. Both Manion and Buer are known for bringing Scripture to life in ways that feel practical and actionable.
Another distinguishing factor is vitality. As some longstanding traditions in the region have declined, Ada has remained vibrant. Hays credits this to strong leadership and deeply committed volunteers.
The surrounding community also shapes the church’s personality. Grand Rapids is growing rapidly, drawing families, young professionals and transplants from across the country. Ada’s culture resonates with people seeking stability in a fast-changing world.
Such was the case for Bruce Pobocik and his family. Pobocik and his wife have three daughters—ages 12, 9, and 7. They had attended Ada early in their marriage but drifted away as life got busy. In 2020, during the uncertainty of the pandemic, they came back.
“We immediately felt a broader sense of community and support,” says Pobocik, noting that while the world felt isolated, Ada felt open.
“During the pandemic, there were so many opportunities and ways to connect with people at a time when that seemed tough,” he recalls. “That helped us feel like we had a church home and family.”
They dove in—joining small groups, making friends and connecting with peers in the same stage of life. In the past six years, relationships have only grown richer.
“Having people to walk through life with is huge,” Pobocik says. “They encourage doing life together because church isn’t just on Sundays. It’s throughout the week and always.”
While strong teaching remains foundational, Hays says Ada’s ministry philosophy has expanded in recent years.
“We realized the mission can’t be built on the message [sermon] alone,” he explains. “Great biblical teaching is a foundation, but it’s not the end in and of itself.”
Over the last two to three years, Ada has leaned into courageous faith in which their congregants invite others to take tangible next steps in their spiritual journey. That includes baptism goals, serving goals and a clearer discipleship pathway that encourages people to explore what’s next for them personally.
“Our church doesn’t exist just for the numbers on the weekend,” Hays says. “We really want people to pursue life change.”
In recent years, the staff has begun paying closer attention to what’s working in other like-minded churches and experimenting with new approaches. While there may be nothing revolutionary about their model, they are more aware of what’s working elsewhere and how to translate that at Ada. As a result, they are considering exploring the possibility of incorporating new service times, maximizing campus usage, enhancing pre- and post-service environments to help families build relationships, and encouraging staff creativity through budgeted resources and clearer vision.
A turning point for the church came when Ada participated in the Best Christian Workplace survey and scored low on innovation.
“This is where we’re the weakest,” Hays admits with refreshing honesty. “Slow and steady faithfulness has a shadow side.”
Feedback from the survey prompted leadership to create space—and permission—for staff to try new things.
“We wanted people to know they had the freedom to explore,” says Hays.
Despite the challenges and the learning curves, he loves being part of a church with deep roots and a bright future.
“We have history and legacy,” he says, “but we’re also looking forward with anticipation.”
ADA BIBLE CHURCH
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Pastor: Aaron Buer
Website: AdaBible.org
Denomination: Nondenominational
Founded: 1978
Fastest-Growing: 58
